About the UK Number Plate/Registrations
Where to start, there are so many good outlets and pieces of text online to learn about numbers or Autonumerology a term coined by Noel Woodall in 1964 who wanted to put a name to his new found interest in car registrations.
Below are some great sources to get an in-depth look at number plates from every possible angle.
- DVLA Number plates, vehicle registration and log books: (Click me)
- In depth history PDF about plates: (Click me)
- plate-trader.com complete number plate guide - one of the best on how to be safe when buying or selling: (Click me)
The Evolution of UK Number Plates (1903 to Present)
1903-1932
The Beginning
The Motor Car Act of 1903 introduced the first vehicle registration system in the UK. The initial format was simple:
- A single letter & two letter (03/04) indicating the local licensing authority (e.g., 'A' for London)
- Followed by a number from 1 to 9999
A 1234
These early plates featured black backgrounds with white or silver characters and had no year identifier.
Did You Know?
The very first number plate issued in the UK was "DY 1", although google says A 1.
1932-1953
Expanding the System
As vehicle ownership increased, the system evolved to include:
- Three letters followed by up to four numbers
- Some regions used three letters with up to three numbers
AB 1234
ABC 123
This expansion allowed for more combinations as car ownership grew rapidly across the country.
1953-1963
Format Reversal
The system flipped to accommodate even more vehicles:
- Up to three numbers followed by three letters
- Some areas began experimenting with suffix letters to indicate registration year
123 ABC
Year indicators began appearing in some regions (e.g., "123 ABC A" for 1963) but weren't yet standardized nationally.
1963-1983
The Suffix Era
The suffix system became standard nationwide:
- Three letters followed by up to three numbers, plus a year suffix letter
- The suffix letter changed annually (A for 1963, B for 1964, etc.)
- Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z were not used to avoid confusion
ABC 123A
Important Change
In 1968, reflective plates became mandatory with a standardized color scheme: white front plates and yellow rear plates for improved visibility.
1983-2001
The Prefix System
The format was reversed, putting the year indicator at the beginning:
- Starting with a year letter (A for 1983)
- Followed by numbers and three letters
- Ran through the alphabet until Y in 2001 (excluding I, O, Q, U, and Z)
A123 ABC
During the 1990s, font standardization (Charles Wright) began, and optional EU compliance features (blue GB strip) were introduced.
Rising Trend
Personalized private number plates became increasingly popular during this period, creating a new market for memorable combinations.
2001-Present
Current System
The current format introduced in September 2001 consists of:
- Two letters indicating the region code
- Two numbers indicating year of registration (updated every six months)
- Three random letters
AB24 CDE
The numbers change twice yearly: March (current year, e.g., '24' for 2024) and September (current year + 50, e.g., '74' for September 2024).
This system is designed to last until 2051 and requires specific fonts, reflective materials, and can include GB/UK identifiers.
Buying & Selling Plates
The trade of plates plays a massive part, if you want one you've gotta pay! I am not going to explain how to be safe when trading here or how to value a plate but if you want to learn I'd recommend the plate-trader.com guides (Click me), how to value a plate (Click me).
The first DVLA auction was in 1989 and the first plate offered was 99 MG and the most expensive plate sold that day was 1 A which sold for £160,000. The most expensive plate to sell at a DVLA auction was in 2014, the "25 O" number plate broke records by selling for an eye-watering £518,000. Purchased by John Collins, a well-known Ferrari dealer and collector, secured this prestigious plate.
Current Auctions & Where to buy
- Our very own market: (Click me)
- DVLA Personalised Registrations: (Click me)
- Car and Classic: (Click me)
- Regtransfers Auction: (Click me)
- Mathewsons: (Click me)
- Collecting Cars: (Click me)
- Plate-Trader: (Click me)
Historic Adverts
Plates have been sold and traded way before the DVLA auctions started, here are some historic number plate adverts. There is a lot more to be seen here: (Click me) .
Picture below is from 1975 with 7 R offered for what could be considered a bargain £1,475 compared to others. However, the early x R plates were only issued 11 years earlier in 1964. 7 R, still trades hands to this day!
An ad from Motor magazine dated May 1973 offering M 7 for offers in excess of £1,500. The then owner was none other than Sir Stirling Moss, in addition it was Noel Woodall selling it.
Credits
Images on this page and alot of info as aswell this project was inspired and source from the UK Single-Single Number Plate Registry. The comprehensive registry of 1x1 number plates.
Another good source: Olavs License Plate Pictures. This site contains photographs of license/ number/ registration plates from 105 countries seen "live in action" on vehicles and has been online since 21. October 2000.